Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole
A comforting weeknight dinner featuring layers of creamy noodles, savory ground beef, and a gooey cheese topping.
Ingredients
Noodle Mixture
- 4 cups egg noodles, cooked in salted water until tender and drained
- 4 oz softened cream cheese For creaminess
- 1 cup sour cream Adds rich flavor
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese For a cheesy flavor
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dry parsley For seasoning
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup freshly sliced green onions For aromatic freshness
Beef Mixture
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil For sautéing
- 1/2 cup diced red onions Adds color and flavor
- 1/2 cup diced red bell peppers Adds color and flavor
- 1 lb ground beef Main protein source
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce For depth of flavor
- 14.5 oz diced petite tomatoes, do not drain Adds moisture
- 6 oz tomato paste Enhances tomato flavor
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 1/8 teaspoons seasoning salt
Cheese Topping
- 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese For melting
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheese For flavor
- 1 3/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese For gooeyness
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small bowl, mix together the Colby Jack and sharp cheeses, setting it aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and green onions. Blend until smooth.
- Fold in the cooked egg noodles until fully coated with the creamy mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste, and set aside.
Cooking
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced red onions and red bell peppers. Sauté for about 2 minutes until translucent.
- Toss in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 20 seconds.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and break it into smaller pieces. Cook until browned and fully cooked, then drain the excess fat.
- Return the beef to the skillet, and add Worcestershire sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoning salt. Stir until well combined.
- Transfer the ground beef mixture to a lightly greased baking dish or use the skillet again after wiping it down. Spread the noodle mixture evenly into the pan.
- Top with the ground beef mixture, and then add the blend of Colby Jack and sharp cheddar cheeses, finishing with mozzarella cheese.
- Tent aluminum foil over the baking dish to keep moisture in, and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil, set your oven to broil, and gradually broil for about 2 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Serve immediately, or allow to cool slightly before enjoying.
Notes
For additional flavor, consider adding sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the beef mixture. Block cheese melts better than pre-shredded. Consider using turkey for a lighter option.